MAYOR BLOOMBERG DISCUSSES LAUNCH OF NEW 9/11 HEALTH WEBSITE IN WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS

The following is the text of Mayor Bloomberg's weekly radio address as prepared for delivery on 1010 WINS News Radio for Sunday, September 9, 2007

"Good morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg. On Tuesday, New Yorkers, and all Americans, will mark the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It will be a solemn occasion for remembrance and renewal, a day for us to reflect on those we lost and to recommit ourselves-as a city and as a nation-to all those whose health has been affected by 9/11.

"Last year, I convened a panel to conduct a comprehensive investigation of World Trade Center-related health issues, and to determine what more could be done to help those who are sick. Already, we have implemented some of its core recommendations. First, we've committed new funding to 9/11 health programs - about $100 million through the year 2011. Second, we appointed a World Trade Center Health Coordinator to organize and deliver information to all those with physical and mental health issues. And third, we established a Medical Working Group to review clinical and research findings on the potential health effects of World Trade Center exposure.

"Today, I'm pleased to announce that we're completing another key initiative with the launch of a new website that consolidates the latest information about 9/11 related-health issues - including where to go for free treatment and medication. We want people to know more about the potential health effects of 9/11 so that they can reach out for assessment and services.

"Now, anyone can do that by logging onto the City's official website at www.nyc.gov. There, you'll be able to find out more about all WTC health-related programs, including the three WTC Centers of Excellence - which provide state-of-the-art testing and treatment to those who may be suffering from 9/11-related illnesses. The website also has information on the City's WTC Health Registry, which monitors the long-term health of people who were exposed to the World Trade Center disaster and who now reside in all 50 states. The data gathered by the Registry provide doctors, researchers, and the public with the kind of information that can help them more effectively address 9/11 health issues.

"The website also includes easily accessible research findings about the different groups of people affected by 9/11 health issues - including rescue and recovery workers, city employees, and residents. We now know that people in all of these categories have experienced health problems - for example, some have experienced respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, or mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"There is much about World Trade Center health effects that we still don't know, and may not know for many years. But one thing we do know is that 9/11 was an attack on our entire country and the Federal government must take responsibility for everyone whose health was harmed by this act of war against our nation. We're going to do our part…and we're going to keep working to ensure that the Federal government does theirs.

"This week is an important one for our city. Not only is Tuesday the anniversary of 9/11, but Wednesday night marks the beginning of Ramadan - the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, and also of Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year. All of that makes this a time of deep spiritual significance for New Yorkers of many faiths. Let's use it as an occasion to appreciate the values of tolerance and mutual respect that define our city, and also to honor our responsibility to take care of our fellow New Yorkers - especially those who heroically served our city during its darkest hour.